Quaggy Jo Mountain Trails

Best Time to Visit: The best time to hike is from May through October, before winter conditions arrive. Try to visit at sunset for beautiful views.

Season/Hours of Operation: Open year-round. There are no set hours, but it’s recommended to visit during daylight hours for safety purposes.

Parking: There are several roadside parking areas, or head to the large parking lot at Echo Lake. Note that a fee may be required for the larger lots.

Trails:

• Quaggy Joe via North Peak, Ridge, and South Peak Trails Loop: This trail is a 2.3-mile loop that brings hikers over North Peak to the summit of Quaggy Joe (aka South Peak). Terrain includes forest, roots, seasonal mud, slippery rocks, and brush. The trail is considered moderately difficult. Leashed dogs are welcome.
• South Peak Trail: This trail is just one mile out and back, making for a pleasant, short hike. Even though it’s a shorter trail, it’s still challenging, with terrain including dense forest, rocky scrambles, steep inclines, seasonal mud, and roots. The trail leads to the summit of Quaggy Joe (South Peak). At the summit, there is a rocky ledge that has great views of Echo Lake, Haystack Mountain, and miles of wilderness.

Quaggy Jo Mountain Trail Highlights:

• Wildlife in the area includes moose, deer, black bears, squirrels, skunks, chipmunks, and birds of prey.
• The trail has volcanic rock called Rhyolite tuff along the path.

Quaggy Jo Mountain Geographical Overview: